Gene Valgene Williams

Officer Williams was killed after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic. He was working the off-duty job directing traffic at a roadway construction site at approximately 3 a.m. when he stopped a vehicle. A pickup truck, being driven by a drunk driver, struck that vehicle from behind, rupturing the gas tank. The car burst into flames and rolled onto Officer Williams, trapping him underneath.

After the cars burst into flames, the driver of the pickup truck fled on foot. He was later captured and charged with negligent homicide, failure to render aid, and driving under the influence. Officer Williams was the first Maui officer to be killed while directing traffic since 1941.

Officer Williams had served as an intelligence agent for the U.S. Army and had been with the Maui Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and two children.